SPORTS WAGERS
Boston +2.14/+6 over L.A. LAKERS
The Lakers did whatever they wanted in game one and that’s all there is to that. The Celtics will have to make some adjustments tonight and it says here they do exactly that. They failed to get a body on Gasol and Bynum under the basket and those two kept jamming down rebounds. It was a frustrating thing to watch if you were on the C’s as we were. Anyway, the Celtics handled Dwight Howard so there’s no excuse for them not to be able to handle Gasol and a banged up Bynum. The Celtics still have the much better bench and one cannot overlook the fact that Ray Allen got into early foul trouble and his minutes were extremely limited. In fact, Allen only played 27 minutes. The C’s had a bad game all around. They went just 1-10 from deep and that strong bench was pretty much useless. So yeah, the Lakers are so tough in its own barn and they’re now 9-0 in the playoffs there. However, the C’s failed to show up in game one and you know for sure they’ll show up tonight and give the Lakers a much tougher time. Let’s not forget that the Celtics ripped apart both Orlando and Cleveland and they’re too good to be spotting this many points. Play: Boston +6 (Risking 1.05 units to win 1) Play Boston +2.14 (Risking 1 unit).
HOUSTON +1.05 over Chicago
Can someone explain why the Cubbies are favored over the Astros in Houston? It’s simply incorrect, as the Cubs are just 4½ games better than the Astros, they have the second best starter going here, its offense is as bad and probably more unreliable than the Astros and its bullpen is among the lousiest in the game. In fact, over the last 15 games, the Astros have scored 21 more runs than the Cubbies and they’re batting 30 points higher. Over that same stretch, the Astros have also struck out 24 less times than the Cubs have. Than we have the starters. Randy Wells has allowed 69 hits in 61 innings for a BAA of .280. He’s been crushed in three of his last six starts and that includes a game in which he did not make it out of the first inning. His numbers are average and so is his stuff. Brett Myers has been one of the best pitchers in the game over the last month or so. He is coming off a start that featured a season-high 10 strikeouts. His dominance has been surging, with 27 strikeouts in his last four starts, covering 28 IP. Myers has pitched seven full innings or more in seven of his last 10 starts. Typically plagued by the HR in the past, Myers has shown major improvement in that area this season, allowing six jacks to-date (0.7 hr/9). Again, the Cubbies favored here is wrong. Play: Houston +1.05 (Risking 2 units).
TORONTO +1.25 over NY Yankees
Javier Vazquez has had two good starts in his last three outings but so what. He had a good game at Citi Field against the Mets and a good game against the lame Orioles. He still sports an ERA of 6.06 and the high majority of his outings this year have been disasters. Throw out those two games against the Mets and O’s and his ERA would be close to 7.50. The Jays have killed righties all year, as their 16-8 record at home against right-handers will attest to. Vazquez has also been taken yard 10 times in 49 IP and that could be a huge problem here as the Jays continue to crush the field in homeruns hit. In fact, the Jays have smacked a lead-leading 96 jacks and the closest to them is a distant 18 behind. Brandon Morrow is the Jays worst starter with the best stuff on the staff. When he’s on he’s wickedly good and he’s been on at home way more often than not. In fact, at the Rogers Center, Morrow is 4-1 with a 3.90 ERA and is coming off a seven-inning, three-hit, one-run gem against the Rays. Yanks may win here but the true value is on the Jays, as this is not a team that is going away anytime soon and has proven they’re for real. Play: Toronto +1.25 (Risking 2 units).
Boston +2.14/+6 over L.A. LAKERS
The Lakers did whatever they wanted in game one and that’s all there is to that. The Celtics will have to make some adjustments tonight and it says here they do exactly that. They failed to get a body on Gasol and Bynum under the basket and those two kept jamming down rebounds. It was a frustrating thing to watch if you were on the C’s as we were. Anyway, the Celtics handled Dwight Howard so there’s no excuse for them not to be able to handle Gasol and a banged up Bynum. The Celtics still have the much better bench and one cannot overlook the fact that Ray Allen got into early foul trouble and his minutes were extremely limited. In fact, Allen only played 27 minutes. The C’s had a bad game all around. They went just 1-10 from deep and that strong bench was pretty much useless. So yeah, the Lakers are so tough in its own barn and they’re now 9-0 in the playoffs there. However, the C’s failed to show up in game one and you know for sure they’ll show up tonight and give the Lakers a much tougher time. Let’s not forget that the Celtics ripped apart both Orlando and Cleveland and they’re too good to be spotting this many points. Play: Boston +6 (Risking 1.05 units to win 1) Play Boston +2.14 (Risking 1 unit).
HOUSTON +1.05 over Chicago
Can someone explain why the Cubbies are favored over the Astros in Houston? It’s simply incorrect, as the Cubs are just 4½ games better than the Astros, they have the second best starter going here, its offense is as bad and probably more unreliable than the Astros and its bullpen is among the lousiest in the game. In fact, over the last 15 games, the Astros have scored 21 more runs than the Cubbies and they’re batting 30 points higher. Over that same stretch, the Astros have also struck out 24 less times than the Cubs have. Than we have the starters. Randy Wells has allowed 69 hits in 61 innings for a BAA of .280. He’s been crushed in three of his last six starts and that includes a game in which he did not make it out of the first inning. His numbers are average and so is his stuff. Brett Myers has been one of the best pitchers in the game over the last month or so. He is coming off a start that featured a season-high 10 strikeouts. His dominance has been surging, with 27 strikeouts in his last four starts, covering 28 IP. Myers has pitched seven full innings or more in seven of his last 10 starts. Typically plagued by the HR in the past, Myers has shown major improvement in that area this season, allowing six jacks to-date (0.7 hr/9). Again, the Cubbies favored here is wrong. Play: Houston +1.05 (Risking 2 units).
TORONTO +1.25 over NY Yankees
Javier Vazquez has had two good starts in his last three outings but so what. He had a good game at Citi Field against the Mets and a good game against the lame Orioles. He still sports an ERA of 6.06 and the high majority of his outings this year have been disasters. Throw out those two games against the Mets and O’s and his ERA would be close to 7.50. The Jays have killed righties all year, as their 16-8 record at home against right-handers will attest to. Vazquez has also been taken yard 10 times in 49 IP and that could be a huge problem here as the Jays continue to crush the field in homeruns hit. In fact, the Jays have smacked a lead-leading 96 jacks and the closest to them is a distant 18 behind. Brandon Morrow is the Jays worst starter with the best stuff on the staff. When he’s on he’s wickedly good and he’s been on at home way more often than not. In fact, at the Rogers Center, Morrow is 4-1 with a 3.90 ERA and is coming off a seven-inning, three-hit, one-run gem against the Rays. Yanks may win here but the true value is on the Jays, as this is not a team that is going away anytime soon and has proven they’re for real. Play: Toronto +1.25 (Risking 2 units).
Tony Cross.........Pro Picks
Here are the Picks for Today.
San Diego over the Phillies
San Fran over Pitt
Yankees over Toronto
Cinci over Washimgtpn
Red Sox over Baltimore
Mets over Florida
Chicago over Houston
Chicago Sox over Cleveland
Tampa Bay over Texas
Detroit over KC
St. Louis over Milwaukee
Colorado over D Backs
Oakland over Minnesota
Seattle over LA
Dodgers over Atlanta
Here are the Picks for Today.
San Diego over the Phillies
San Fran over Pitt
Yankees over Toronto
Cinci over Washimgtpn
Red Sox over Baltimore
Mets over Florida
Chicago over Houston
Chicago Sox over Cleveland
Tampa Bay over Texas
Detroit over KC
St. Louis over Milwaukee
Colorado over D Backs
Oakland over Minnesota
Seattle over LA
Dodgers over Atlanta
Nelly's SUNDAY MLB PROFIT MACHINE - June 6 (TEX)
Nelly's 1* Pick #978 Texas Rangers (Harden) +125 over Tampa Bay Rays (Garza) 3:05 PM ET
Rich Harden owns a 5.33 ERA for the season but the Rangers are 8-3 in his starts this season. Texas is 4-1 in his home starts where he has a 3.70 ERA and his overall numbers have been hurt by making the majority of his starts on the road. In his last four home starts he has allowed three or fewer runs in each game and Texas is 4-0 in those games. The home team is 9-2 in the last eleven meetings in this series as Texas has now won seven of the last eight in Arlington against the Rays. Texas has been a dominant home team at 20-9 and including 19-7 in the last 26 home games. Tampa Bay owns an amazing road record but the Rays look like a team to fade as their hot start was simply too good. Tampa Bay is 4-8 in the last twelve games and value has also caught up to Tampa Bay. Matt Garza has been a streaky pitcher in his career and he is 0-3 in his last three starts and Tampa Bay is 1-4 in his last five starts. Garza has good numbers for the year but he has not been dominant and Tampa Bay has not always provided strong support for him, including scoring just twelve runs over his last five starts. In the last ten games the Texas bullpen has also out-performed the Rays with a very solid 3.30 ERA. Texas is batting .297 in the last ten games while the Rays are hitting just .254. The heat in Arlington appears to have hurt the Rays while Texas has been swinging hot bats and with a complete game from Tommy Hunter yesterday the bullpen is in great shape. Given the dominance Texas has displayed at home, fading the slumping Rays with a great home underdog price makes for a great play.
Nelly's NBA FINALS 2-FOR-1 SIDE & TOTAL - June 6 (LA & UNDER)
Nelly's 1* Pick #702 LA Lakers –5.5 over Boston Celtics 8:00 PM ET
Boston brought good energy and played well in game 1 of the Finals but the game was not close for long and the Lakers pulled away with relative ease. Boston made only one three-point shot but they took just ten shots, and that was by design and Paul Pierce and Ray Allen were well defended and there were very few good looks on the perimeter. Boston did benefit from 36 free throw attempts, making 30 points from the line. The Lakers committed 15 turnovers and while Los Angeles shot 48 percent it was not one of the better offensive games Los Angeles has had thus far in the playoffs. Los Angeles dominated in the paint and that will be an advantage that Boston will not overcome. The Lakers had 48 points inside and Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum were very efficient and effective. Kobe Bryant had a very complete game and he continues to prove that he is one of the all-time greats in big moments with a few key shots down the stretch to keep the game out of reach. Boston is not getting the defensive intensity that it had early in the playoffs while upsetting Cleveland and Orlando and the Lakers maintain a simply incredible record at home. Many are expecting a bounce-back from the Celtics but Boston played as well as it could in game 1 while still getting a ton of chances at the line. The Lakers are simply the better team as we knew at the outset of the playoffs, and Boston’s great playoff run has them overvalued in this match-up.
Bonus Pick 'UNDER 190.5' Boston at Los Angeles (unrated)
Game 1 just barely stayed 'under' on most lines and those playing the game right at the bell might have found a win with the 'over'. The total has been adjusted to near that closing number from game 1 but is well below the game 1 opener. Only five three-point shots were made in game 1 which might give some weight to banking on more scoring in game 2 but free throws slowed play considerably in game 1 in addition to adding 54 points to score. Game 1 would have stayed well 'under' if not for a huge 34-point outburst from the Lakers in the 3rd quarter and overall both teams shot a strong percentage. Look for a bit more defensive intensity from the Celtics to possibly shut down some of the inside scoring enjoyed by the Lakers in game 1. Boston will also look to find more open looks on the perimeter but more three-point shooting likely will help the 'under' as the shooting percentages will not be as strong as in game 1. Look for more low numbers in game 2.
Nelly's 1* Pick #978 Texas Rangers (Harden) +125 over Tampa Bay Rays (Garza) 3:05 PM ET
Rich Harden owns a 5.33 ERA for the season but the Rangers are 8-3 in his starts this season. Texas is 4-1 in his home starts where he has a 3.70 ERA and his overall numbers have been hurt by making the majority of his starts on the road. In his last four home starts he has allowed three or fewer runs in each game and Texas is 4-0 in those games. The home team is 9-2 in the last eleven meetings in this series as Texas has now won seven of the last eight in Arlington against the Rays. Texas has been a dominant home team at 20-9 and including 19-7 in the last 26 home games. Tampa Bay owns an amazing road record but the Rays look like a team to fade as their hot start was simply too good. Tampa Bay is 4-8 in the last twelve games and value has also caught up to Tampa Bay. Matt Garza has been a streaky pitcher in his career and he is 0-3 in his last three starts and Tampa Bay is 1-4 in his last five starts. Garza has good numbers for the year but he has not been dominant and Tampa Bay has not always provided strong support for him, including scoring just twelve runs over his last five starts. In the last ten games the Texas bullpen has also out-performed the Rays with a very solid 3.30 ERA. Texas is batting .297 in the last ten games while the Rays are hitting just .254. The heat in Arlington appears to have hurt the Rays while Texas has been swinging hot bats and with a complete game from Tommy Hunter yesterday the bullpen is in great shape. Given the dominance Texas has displayed at home, fading the slumping Rays with a great home underdog price makes for a great play.
Nelly's NBA FINALS 2-FOR-1 SIDE & TOTAL - June 6 (LA & UNDER)
Nelly's 1* Pick #702 LA Lakers –5.5 over Boston Celtics 8:00 PM ET
Boston brought good energy and played well in game 1 of the Finals but the game was not close for long and the Lakers pulled away with relative ease. Boston made only one three-point shot but they took just ten shots, and that was by design and Paul Pierce and Ray Allen were well defended and there were very few good looks on the perimeter. Boston did benefit from 36 free throw attempts, making 30 points from the line. The Lakers committed 15 turnovers and while Los Angeles shot 48 percent it was not one of the better offensive games Los Angeles has had thus far in the playoffs. Los Angeles dominated in the paint and that will be an advantage that Boston will not overcome. The Lakers had 48 points inside and Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum were very efficient and effective. Kobe Bryant had a very complete game and he continues to prove that he is one of the all-time greats in big moments with a few key shots down the stretch to keep the game out of reach. Boston is not getting the defensive intensity that it had early in the playoffs while upsetting Cleveland and Orlando and the Lakers maintain a simply incredible record at home. Many are expecting a bounce-back from the Celtics but Boston played as well as it could in game 1 while still getting a ton of chances at the line. The Lakers are simply the better team as we knew at the outset of the playoffs, and Boston’s great playoff run has them overvalued in this match-up.
Bonus Pick 'UNDER 190.5' Boston at Los Angeles (unrated)
Game 1 just barely stayed 'under' on most lines and those playing the game right at the bell might have found a win with the 'over'. The total has been adjusted to near that closing number from game 1 but is well below the game 1 opener. Only five three-point shots were made in game 1 which might give some weight to banking on more scoring in game 2 but free throws slowed play considerably in game 1 in addition to adding 54 points to score. Game 1 would have stayed well 'under' if not for a huge 34-point outburst from the Lakers in the 3rd quarter and overall both teams shot a strong percentage. Look for a bit more defensive intensity from the Celtics to possibly shut down some of the inside scoring enjoyed by the Lakers in game 1. Boston will also look to find more open looks on the perimeter but more three-point shooting likely will help the 'under' as the shooting percentages will not be as strong as in game 1. Look for more low numbers in game 2.
Players NHL *6* Sunday PHILLY Money Line on 6 June
Scott Rickenbach’s NHL 6* (Regular Play) Philadelphia Flyers Money Line (+) @ Chicago @ 8:05 PM ET – RATING SYSTEM: Plays range from 6* on up to 10* so this includes 7* and 8* picks as well. 6*, 7*, 8*: most common play ratings with a 9* being a Top Play! 10* plays are a step above a 9* Top Play. The *10* is Scott's highest rated selection!
Play Philadelphia on the money line as a 6* Regular Play selection
Players NBA *10* Sunday BOSTON on 6 June
Scott Rickenbach’s NBA 10* (TOP PLAY) Boston Celtics (+) @ Los Angeles @ 8:05 PM ET – RATING SYSTEM: Plays range from 6* on up to 10* so this includes 7* and 8* picks as well. 6*, 7*, 8*: most common play ratings with a 9* being a Top Play! 10* plays are a step above a 9* Top Play. The *10* is Scott's highest rated selection!
Play Boston plus the points as a *10* Top Play Sunday!
Players MLB *6* Sunday 1 ET game OVER in Toronto on 6 June
Scott Rickenbach’s MLB 6* (Regular Play) OVER in Toronto vs New York Yankees @ 1:05 PM ET - Morrow vs Vazquez – RATING SYSTEM: Plays range from 6* on up to 10* so this includes 7* and 8* picks as well. 6*, 7*, 8*: most common play ratings with a 9* being a Top Play! 10* plays are a step above a 9* Top Play. The *10* is Scott's highest rated selection!
Play OVER the total in Toronto as a *6* Regular Play selection.
Players MLB *6* Saturday 3 ET on OVER in Texas on 6 June
Scott Rickenbach’s MLB 6* (Regular Play) OVER in Texas vs Tampa Bay @ 3:05 PM ET - Harden vs Garza – RATING SYSTEM: Plays range from 6* on up to 10* so this includes 7* and 8* picks as well. 6*, 7*, 8*: most common play ratings with a 9* being a Top Play! 10* plays are a step above a 9* Top Play. The *10* is Scott's highest rated selection!
Play OVER the total in Texas as a *6* Regular Play selection.
Scott Rickenbach’s NHL 6* (Regular Play) Philadelphia Flyers Money Line (+) @ Chicago @ 8:05 PM ET – RATING SYSTEM: Plays range from 6* on up to 10* so this includes 7* and 8* picks as well. 6*, 7*, 8*: most common play ratings with a 9* being a Top Play! 10* plays are a step above a 9* Top Play. The *10* is Scott's highest rated selection!
Play Philadelphia on the money line as a 6* Regular Play selection
Players NBA *10* Sunday BOSTON on 6 June
Scott Rickenbach’s NBA 10* (TOP PLAY) Boston Celtics (+) @ Los Angeles @ 8:05 PM ET – RATING SYSTEM: Plays range from 6* on up to 10* so this includes 7* and 8* picks as well. 6*, 7*, 8*: most common play ratings with a 9* being a Top Play! 10* plays are a step above a 9* Top Play. The *10* is Scott's highest rated selection!
Play Boston plus the points as a *10* Top Play Sunday!
Players MLB *6* Sunday 1 ET game OVER in Toronto on 6 June
Scott Rickenbach’s MLB 6* (Regular Play) OVER in Toronto vs New York Yankees @ 1:05 PM ET - Morrow vs Vazquez – RATING SYSTEM: Plays range from 6* on up to 10* so this includes 7* and 8* picks as well. 6*, 7*, 8*: most common play ratings with a 9* being a Top Play! 10* plays are a step above a 9* Top Play. The *10* is Scott's highest rated selection!
Play OVER the total in Toronto as a *6* Regular Play selection.
Players MLB *6* Saturday 3 ET on OVER in Texas on 6 June
Scott Rickenbach’s MLB 6* (Regular Play) OVER in Texas vs Tampa Bay @ 3:05 PM ET - Harden vs Garza – RATING SYSTEM: Plays range from 6* on up to 10* so this includes 7* and 8* picks as well. 6*, 7*, 8*: most common play ratings with a 9* being a Top Play! 10* plays are a step above a 9* Top Play. The *10* is Scott's highest rated selection!
Play OVER the total in Texas as a *6* Regular Play selection.
Matt Rivers of OffshoreInsiders says Sunday bet on the on the Houston Astros.
I am going to continue to fade the Cubs and to get a pretty hot hurler in Brett Myers at home at this price makes me just fine with this.
The Astros are far from their glory days but Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee have finally come on of late and the Cubs are an underachieving mess. Sure Lou's crew has a ton of talent with Soriano, Lee, Ramirez, Fukudome and Soto but collectively this team has been terrible. It's about time that the manager gets the boot because things are just not working out. Things may have worked out yesterday in the victory but one game does not make a team that I can tell you.
Randy Wells is a solid pitcher that should be alright here. It's not like we boast a powerful offense that will be blasting away but Myers has relived some of that All-Star form from his years with the Phillies and should be feeling pretty good about himself. The guy has really been in control on the mound of late and here in Houston should be just fine.
We are not good but they are not either and in the end this home dog is fine with me. Can this Chicago team win a second straight? I say no way.
The pick: Houston +105
I am going to continue to fade the Cubs and to get a pretty hot hurler in Brett Myers at home at this price makes me just fine with this.
The Astros are far from their glory days but Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee have finally come on of late and the Cubs are an underachieving mess. Sure Lou's crew has a ton of talent with Soriano, Lee, Ramirez, Fukudome and Soto but collectively this team has been terrible. It's about time that the manager gets the boot because things are just not working out. Things may have worked out yesterday in the victory but one game does not make a team that I can tell you.
Randy Wells is a solid pitcher that should be alright here. It's not like we boast a powerful offense that will be blasting away but Myers has relived some of that All-Star form from his years with the Phillies and should be feeling pretty good about himself. The guy has really been in control on the mound of late and here in Houston should be just fine.
We are not good but they are not either and in the end this home dog is fine with me. Can this Chicago team win a second straight? I say no way.
The pick: Houston +105
JR O'Donnell
REDZONE SPORTS
Bonus Play
ARI (+205) vs COL
Looking at the Colorado Rockies and U. Jimenez is the Rock that every body but JR O. WILL play today. 10-1 and 0.88 ERA will scare off any players to bet the dog! The Rockies hurler had 132 pitches last outing and to have a team on a losing streak and be -200 on the road is not a combination that JR O WANTS ANY PART OFF! The Rattle snakes have gotten to the Rockies bull pen and we feel if they get late in the game close, the Snakes can put up some runs off the Rockies. Let's lay off the Huge Favorite and play a value winner on the Arizona D Backs + 200
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REDZONE SPORTS
Bonus Play
ARI (+205) vs COL
Looking at the Colorado Rockies and U. Jimenez is the Rock that every body but JR O. WILL play today. 10-1 and 0.88 ERA will scare off any players to bet the dog! The Rockies hurler had 132 pitches last outing and to have a team on a losing streak and be -200 on the road is not a combination that JR O WANTS ANY PART OFF! The Rattle snakes have gotten to the Rockies bull pen and we feel if they get late in the game close, the Snakes can put up some runs off the Rockies. Let's lay off the Huge Favorite and play a value winner on the Arizona D Backs + 200
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